“We had found some structural damage on the north landing and it had to be closed while repair work was carried out. Safety is our top priority at all times.

“I’m pleased to say that the work has now been completed and the structural engineers have given us the green light to re-open.”

20:18Michael Muncaster

'Little blue cups' to be made for autistic teenager

Northumberland company Tommee Tippee has announced it is to manufacture a batch of cups for a severely autistic boy at the centre of a global search for a special “little blue cup”.

The Cramlington business got involved in the search for one of its products after Marc Carter, the father of autistic teenager Ben, issued an appeal on Twitter in a bid to track down some replacements.

Ben will only drink out of the two-handled blue cup, which has not been manufactured by Tommee Tippee for more than a decade – but his father’s plea went viral, receiving thousands of responses from as far away as the US, Brazil and Australia.

North Tyneside superintendent Mick Paterson said: “Officers from all of the local neighbourhood policing teams across North Tyneside will be visiting schools and getting the chance to speak to pupils of all ages about these important issues.

“Personal safety is so important for young people, but especially so at this time of the year. When they go to school it is dark and often when they finish it’s getting dark so they need to take steps to make themselves as safe as possible.

“Simple things like; walking home in groups of friends or in pairs, and not alone, taking extra care when crossing the road, especially when dark, and making sure their valuables like phones, tablets and mp3 players are safe and not easy targets for thieves - they can all make a difference.”

One lane closed on A1

Reports of heavy traffic and one lane closed on the A1 due to an accident.

It happened between the A184 (Dunston Interchange) and the B6317 (Swalwell turn off).

Motorists are advised to allow extra time for their journey.

18:08Michael Muncaster

Christmas rush

Busy for drivers heading to the Metrocentre to do their Christmas shopping

18:03Michael Muncaster

More bus service delays

Delays to bus services in Gateshead.

17:58Michael Muncaster

Sports Direct to be probed by watchdog

Mike Ashley ’s Sports Direct is to be investigated by Britain’s financial reporting watchdog over the retailer’s relationship to a firm owned by the tycoon’s brother.

The Financial Reporting Council has announced that it has launched a probe after it emerged in August that Sports Direct’s accounts fail to disclose that international deliveries are run by the Newcastle United owners’s brother, John.

Sports Direct pays Barlin Delivery - run by the founder’s older brother - a share of the revenues generated by orders that are dispatched overseas.

The FRC is probing whether these details should have been disclosed.

Sports Direct founder Mike Ashley (Image: Joe Giddens/PA Wire)

17:52Michael Muncaster

Busy traffic in Durham

The following roads are busy in County Durham:

Mill Lane westbound but traffic is moving at the A177

New Elvet outbound but traffic is moving at Old Elvet

The A690 (Milburngate Bridge) but traffic is moving between New Elvet (Leazes Bowl roundabout) and the A691 Framwelgate Peth

The A167 southbound but traffic is moving between the A691 Southfield Way and Redhills Lane

17:44Michael Muncaster

Flight makes emergency landing due to 'fumes in the cabin'

Full story on the easyJet flight that had to make an emergency landing in Newcastle after reports of fumes in the cabin.

The flight to Hamburg took off from Edinburgh Airport at 12.40pm today but had to be re-directed to Newcastle International Airport .

The plane landed safely at around 1.25pm and emergency services and fire crews were waiting on the runway.